Overcoming My Habit of Procrastination

Objective 

I have a habit of starting preparations for tasks like assignments or meeting times at the last minute. My submissions are just in time, and sometimes I even arrive late for appointments. This behavior is often referred to as the "Student Syndrome," where individuals delay tasks until the deadline approaches, believing they can manage just in time.

Reflective

Looking back on my experiences, I realize that although I often prepare at the last minute, I haven’t really experienced any major failures. In fact, many times I felt that I worked better under pressure. The stress of the deadline seems to sharpen my focus, and I can concentrate more easily. Because of this, I’ve started to believe that it’s okay to leave things until the last minute.

However, I also know this is not entirely true. For example, I sometimes arrive late when meeting friends. Even if they don’t say anything, I feel I might be slowly losing their trust. This makes me feel a bit guilty afterward. Deep down, I think I rely too much on the belief that “things will work out” or that “people will understand.”

I’ve also realized that I don’t get angry when others are late or miss deadlines. I tend to be very forgiving, so maybe I assume that others will be the same toward me. But now, I understand that not everyone feels that way, and that my actions, even if not intended, can still affect others.

Interpretive

I recognize that losing people's trust due to lateness is not good. I always think about this. However, I struggle to improve because, deep down, I believe they will forgive me. Perhaps this is because I don't get particularly upset when others are late. But I realize that this could lead to bigger problems in the future, so I should value my feeling that "this is not good."

Decisional

To change this habit, I need to start with small, achievable steps. For example, I know that if I wake up at 7:20 AM, I’ll be late for school. So I’ve decided to try waking up just 10 minutes earlier. It’s not a big change, but it’s realistic and doable for me right now.

When it comes to deadlines, instead of aiming to finish something days in advance (which feels overwhelming), I’ll try to finish it just a bit earlier — maybe half a day or even one day before. That small shift will already reduce the last-minute stress and give me more control over my schedule.

Also, I’ve noticed that when I arrive on time, I feel more confident and relaxed. I don’t have to worry about others being upset with me, and I can enjoy my time with them more fully. I want to focus on that positive feeling — the peace of mind that comes with being prepared — and use that as motivation to act earlier.

I don’t expect to change overnight, but by taking small steps and being more aware of how my actions affect others, I hope to build better habits over time.

Bibliography

Johanna Rothman. (2004, November 2). Avoid Student Syndrome. Retrieved from Verywell Mind: https://www.jrothman.com/mpd/project-management/2004/11/avoid-student-syndrome/

Virtue Map Team. (2023, June 23). What is Student Syndrome: Psychology Behind. https://virtuemap.com/student-syndrome/

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